Amusement apparatus.



T. IoLKs.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS. APPLICATION IILBD MAR. 6, 1902.

N0 MODES 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PAT'ENTED PEB. 1o, 1903.

www3? wim A TTU/NVE PATENTED PEBl 10, 1903.

T'. POLKS. AMUSBMBNT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.-

30 MODEL.

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A TTOHN Nrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS FOLKS, OF BROOKLYN, NEVV'YORK.

AM U'SEIVI ENT APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '7 20,0 14, datediFebruary. 10, 1903.

Application filed March 6, 1902.

To all whom 7225 may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS FoLKs, a citi- Zen of the United States,residing at Coney Island, in the borough of Brooklyn, city of New York,county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to amusement apparatus wherein persons seekingrecreation and entertainment are transported in boats under theinfluence of an induced current over a course of water iiowing in anartificial chan` nel or flume amidst a diversity of novel and pleasingscenic effects.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this characterwherein the channel or flume will present in its course portions ofvarying pitch to accelerate the speed of the boat at predeterminedpoints, wherein the level of the bulk of the flowing water will bemaintained irrespective of the natural tendency to accumulate at thelowest point of the course, and wherein the means for so maintaining itis capable of automatic action to permit the unobstructed passage of theboat over the entire course.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which will be so compact inits arrangement as to admit of the use of an extended course on acomparatively small ground-space and which can be operated economically.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction hereinafterset forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claimshereto appended.

Referring to the drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of an amusementapparatus embodying my invention, portions of the housing therefor beingbroken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the relation of thediierent sections of the same continuous channel or flume. Fig. Bis afront elevation of one of the automatic lock-gates. Fig. 4 is a sideelevation of the upper lock-gate; and Fig. 5 is a similar view of thelower lock-gate,

showing the position assumed by the various serai No. 96,892. or@ manparts thereof during the passage of a boat thereover.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the practice of my invention I provide an outer housing A, inclosingthe galleries B, wherein is an artificial channel Vor flume et. Theinner walls of said galleries on each side of the said flume areequipped with such scenery or decorations as may be desired. Acontinuous current of flowing water is maintained in said fiume by meansof the feed-pipe D, discharging into the section of the fiume occupyingthe highest elevation, the necessary water being drawn from any suitablesource of supply, as the basin or tank C, into which the channel orfiume empties, and being forced through said pipe by any well-knownmeans as a force-pump. (Not shown.)

The iume a, is comprised of sections occupying planes of relativelydifferent elevations, which from their highest points descend gradually,the pitch preferably being from one-half to one inch to the hundredfeet. The water discharged thereinto will therefore flow in amoderately-swift current only. These sections are connected byintermediate sections, as c c, the pitch of inclination of which isrelatively greater than that of the adjoining sections to vary the speedof the boats at these points. To maintain the head of water above theseintermediate sections c c, I provide the gates l) b, to be more fullydescribed in detail hereinafter, which gates are spaced apart to form alock between them. To prevent the backing up of water above said gatesand the consequent interference with the current, these gates are soarranged (preferably by submerging to a limited extent) as to permit thecontinuous discharge of a portion of water therethrough or thereover. Bythis ar- .rangement of gates the pitch of the intermediate sections c cmay be any desired degree, and thus enable the different sections of thefiume d to occupy planes of different elevation, the galleries when sodesired being arranged one above the other to any desired number.

p in the'upper section may be used.

Each of the intermediate sections c is provided with rollers or Ways d,upon which the boat may glide, as it is apparent that a volume of watersufficient to oat the boat cannotl be economically maintained, althoughenough will pass continuously thereover, and

particularly so With the passage of the boatv from the lock, to createthe effect of rapids and conceal the said ways or rollers CZ.

The gates l) each com prise aframeb, hinged to the bed of the fiume ct,and a similar frame b2, hinged to said first-mentioned frame or unitedtherewith by means of a toggle-joint c. The frame h2 is provided with asuitable facing. Mounted in bearings on the upper side of these frames,respectively, are rollers F F, which are adapted to facilitate thepassage of a boat thereover. To control more perfectly the movement ofthe said gates, I provide each with rollers G G,'carried by the frameb2, which move in ways formed by the bed ofthe fiume a and the guide f,suitable play being provided for to permit the free longitudinalmovement ofsaid trame. A cleat, as g, is secured to each side of theflume a, which presents an extended contact-surface to engage the frameh and reinforce it, thus relieving the various hinges from undue strainwhen the gate is closed. A counterbalance, as h, serves in conjunctionwith the force exerted by the current of water against the facing of theframe b2 to normally close said gate.

To prevent the continuous flow of water from one inclined section toanother occupying a lower plane when the apparatus is closed down, Iprovide a supplemental gate J, adjoining the lock formed between thegates b b, respectively.

Any desired means of transporting the boats and their loads from thelower sections to the starting-point or source of the fiume a In thedrawings I have shown an ordinary lift E, although an inclined plane maybe substituted therefor when the space to be occupied will admit of sucha construction.

The galleries B and their contained flume may take any desiredcourse-direct and return, circular, or tortuous-to conform to thelimitations imposed by the space to be occupied or other arbitraryrequirements.

The operation of my amusement apparatus, in so far as it has not alreadybeen described, is as follows: The flume a is filled withywater by meansof the feed-pipe D and pump, (not shown,) which discharges into thesection thereof occupying the highest plane and contiguous to the pointof greatest elevation of said section. As this section of the flume illsa portion of the water passes over or through the gates b b, over theintermediate sections c c to the section occupying the next lower plane,thus'inducing a continuous current of water, which action is repeateduntil the water traverses the entire length of the fiume and emptiesinto the basin or tank `parts to their normal position.

C. -The arrangement of the said tank relative to the lower section beingsuch as to prevent the complete discharge of said section thereinto,this current is maintained throughout the entire flume solely by thecontinued discharge of water from said feed-pipe and the withdrawal of acorresponding volume of water from said tank. A suitable current havingbeen set up, a boat and its occupants are elevated by means of the liftE or its equivalen t--an inclined plane-to the section of the flumeoccupying the highest plane and introduced thereinto. As the boat entersthe fiume it descends with the current in the direction indicated by thearrow in Fig. 4 until it contacts with the roller F on the upper foldinggate b. The acquired momentum of the boat augmented by the force of thecurrent thereon tends to force the boat upon said roller and over thecrest of the said gate. The vertical pressure occasioned by the weightof the boat and the contour of its stem or bow, however, depresses saidgate, the rollers G G moving longitudinally in their ways to permit saiddepression. As the boat passes over the upper gate, as shown in Fig. l,which movement is facilitated by the rollers F F, with which itcontacts, sufficient water enters the lock' with the boat to fill it. Asthe boat passes from said gate and prior to the actuation of the lowergate in a similar manner the upper gate is automatically closed by theaction of the current on the facing of the frame h2, the counterbalancefroo serving to start and aid in the return of the As the boat leaves thelock after actuating the lower gate it descends theintermediate sectionc with the whole volume of Water contained in the lock and continues itscourse through the flume from section to section in this manner untilthe main basin C is reached.

It will be observed that by the construction hereiubefore described anynumber of inclined sections occupying planes of relatively differentelevation may be utilized and that said sections may be disposedone'directly above the other, if desired, care being taken to render theflume Water-tight. The volume of water to maintain the necessary levelthroughout these sections and induce a continuous current, by reason ofthe gates h b or either of them, is reduced to a minimum and the'maintenance of the apparatus thus made economical. Thevertically-depressible gates not only serve to prevent waste of water,but also increase the capacity of a plant and prevent the necessity ofobstructing the upper portion of the galleries B. Furthermore, the saidconstruction renders practicable the use of sections on differentelevations and of variable pitch.

It is apparent that therev may be many deviations from the constructionherein shown and described Without departing from the spirit of myinvention, both as to the exact IIO arrangement of the gates and theirnumber and in the minor details of their construction. It is not myintention, therefore, to limit the invention to the precise constructionherein shown and described.

The course of the flume is immaterial, and no claim is made as to such.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to haveprotected by Letters Patent, is

l. In an amusement apparatus, a continu` ons channel or flume comprisedof a plurality of sections disposed in planes of relatively differentelevation and intermediate sections connecting said first-mentionedsections respectively, means for feeding water to said fiume and meanswhereby the water-level in `the various sections is maintained Vand aboat is permitted to pass successively from one section to another oversaid intermediate sections, in combination with means for transporting aboat to the starting-point of said fiume, substantially as described.

2. In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or fiume comprised ofa plurality of inclined sections occupying planes of relativelydiiferent elevation and inclined intermediate sections of relativelygreater pitch connecting said first-mentioned sections respectively,means for feeding water to said flume and means whereby the water-levelis maintainedin the varioussectionsandaboatis permitted to passsuccessively from one section 1o another over said intermediate section,in combination with means for transporting a boat to the starting-pointof said fiume, substantially as described.

3. In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or Hume comprised ofa plurality of inclined sections disposed in planes of relativelydifferent elevation and inclined intermediate sections of relativelygreater pitch connecting said rst-mentioned sections respectively, meansfor feeding water to said flume anda depressible gate above saidintermediate sections respectively whereby the water-level in thevarious sections is maintained and a boat is permitted to passSuccessively from one section to another over said intermediatesections, in combination with means for transporting a boat to thestartingpoint of the flume, substantially as described.

4. In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or fiume comprised ofa plurality of sections disposed in planes of relatively diderentelevation and intermediate sections connecting said iirst-mentionedsections respectively, means for feeding water to said flume, an upperdepressible gate and a lower depressible gate above said intermediatesections respectively and spaced apart to form an intermediate lock,whereby the waterlevel in the various sections is maintained and a boatis permitted to pass successively from one section to another over saidintermediate sections, in combination with means for transporting a boatto the starting-point of the flume, substantially as described.

5. In an amusement apparatus, a continuons channel or flume comprised ofa plurality of inclined sections disposed in planes of relatively,different elevation and intermediate inclined sections of relativelygreater pitch connecting said first-mentioned sections respectively,means for feeding water to said flume, an upper depressible gate andalower depressible gate above said intermediate sections respectively andspaced apart to form an intermediate lock, whereby the water-level inthe various sections is maintained and a boat is permitted to passsuccessively from one section to the other over said intermediatesections, in combinationwith means for transporting a boat to thestarting-point of the flu me, substantially as described.

6. In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or flume comprised ofa plurality of inclined sections disposed in planes of relativelydifferent elevation and inclined intermediate sections of relativelygreater pitch connecting said first-mentioned sections respectively,means for `feeding water to said fiume and a pair of gates above saidintermediate sections respectively, said gates being spaced apart toforman intermediate lock and adapted to be automatically andsuccessively actuated by a passing boat, whereby the water-level in thevarious sections is maintained and a boat is permitted to passsuccessively from one section to another over said intermediatesections, in combination with means for transporting a boat to thestarting-point of the flume, substantially as described.

V7. In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or flume comprisedof a plurality of inclined sections disposed in planes of relativelydifferent elevation and inclined intermediate sections of relativelygreater pitch connecting said first-mentioned sections respectively,means for feeding water to said nume, a pair of gates abovesaidintermediate sections respectively, said gates being spaced apart toform an intermediate lock and adapted to be automatically andsuccessively actuated by a passing boat, whereby the waterlevel in. thevarious sections is maintained and a boat is permitted to passsuccessively from one section to another over said intermediatesections, and rollers or ways on said intermediate sections, incombination with means for transporting a boat to the starting-point ofsaid flume, substantially as described.

8. In an amusement apparatus,- a continuous channel or fiume incombination with an automatic gate comprised of two frames united by atoggle-joint, a pivotal connection between one of said frames and saidchannel or fiume, a'facing on the other of said frames, the saidlast-mentioned frame being capable of longitudinal movement to permitsaid gate ICO IIO

'to'be depressed by a passing boat and guides or ways whereby saidlongitudinal movement is controlled, substantially as described.

9. In an amusementJ apparatus, a continuous channel or ume, incombination with an automatic gate comprised of two frames united byatoggle-joint, a pivotal connection between one of said frames and saidchannel or flume, a facing on the other of said frames, the saidlast-mentioned frame being capable of longitudinalmovement to permitsaid gate to be depressed by a passing boat, substantially as described.

10 In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or flume incombination with an automatic gate comprising two framesnnited by atoggle-joint, a pivotal connection between one of said frames and saidchannel or flume, a facing on the other of said frames, the saidlast-mentioned frame being capable of longitudinal movement to permitsaid gate to be depressed by a passing boat, guides or ways whereby saidlongitudinal movement is controlled and side braces adapted to engagesaid first-mentioned frame and reinforce said gate when closed,substantially as described.

ll. In an amusement apparatus, a continuo us channel or flume incombination with an automatic gate comprising two frames united by atoggle-joint, a pivotal connection between one of said frames and saidchannelor flume, a facing on the other of said frames, the saidlast-mentioned frame being capable of longitudinal movement to permitsaid gate to be depressed bya passing boat, side braces adapted toengage said first-mentioned frame and reinforce said gate when closed,guides or ways whereby the longitudinal movement of saidframe iscontrolled and rollers carried by said gate whereby the passage of aboat thereoveris facilitated, substantially as de scribed.

l2. In an amusement apparatus, a continuous channel or flume incombination with an automatic gate comprising two frames united by atoggle-joint, a ivotal connection between lone of said frames and saidchannel or flume, a facing for the other ofsaid frames, the saidlast-mentioned frame being capable of longitudinal movement to permitsaid gate to be depressed by a passing boat, guides or Ways whereby saidlongitudinal movement is controlled, side braces adapted to engage saidfirst-mentioned frame and reinforce said gate when closed, rollerscarried by said gate whereby the passage of a boat thereover isfacilitated, and a counterweight to aid in starting and returning saidgate to the closed position, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature, this 4th day ofMarch, 1902, in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS FOLKS.

Witnesses:

F. T. WENTWORTH, M. OBRIEN.

